Postmenopause Symptoms

The Truth About Postmenopause Symptoms

Menopause is a natural transition experienced by women over age 40. Menopause occurs when a woman's ovaries no longer have functioning eggs, and it is marked by the end of menstruation and the ability to conceive children.

Women in their 40s often start to notice changes in their period before it eventually stops around age 50. Their periods may occur closer together, farther apart and may seem heavier or lighter than normal. A vast majority of women also experience other symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings and loss in sex drive. These changes occur because of changes in hormones, especially estrogen.

After a woman has undergone menopause, she enters postmenopause. Postmenopause is marked by an increasing of follicle stimulating hormone, which rises as the ovaries stop working. Because of changes in estrogen levels, postmenopausal women are at higher risk for conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis. Knowing the symptoms and the actions to take are the best ways to help women deal with the start and the progress of postmenopause.